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Botanical Information
Origin: South Africa (Cape Province)
Afrikaans name: roosvygie
Scientific Name: Lampranthus roseus
Synonym: Mesembryanthemum roseum
Family: Aizoaceae
Note: Lampranthus roseus is now generally considered as a type of Lampranthus multiradiatus
Frost tolerance: very low. The plant has apparently survived so well in Criccieth because of the mild climate and taking precautionary cuttings.
Heat tolerance: excellent Salt tolerance: excellent Wind tolerance: excellent
Growth habits: officially short-lived shrubby perennial, sometimes grown as annual. 20 inches tall (50 cm). Individual plants have been known to survive several years here in Criccieth.
Watering needs: low water user in most climates, it needs good drainage. Seems to enjoy exposure to air-borne moisture directly here on the coast in preference to sites further inland.
Propagation: cuttings and seeds (in theory). Germination of seeds on site in Criccieth appears to be rare. Cuttings taken before flowering in the spring or after flowering in the autumn seem to have the highest success rate.
Cultural Practices: sensitive to powdery mildew and does not like being pruned! Woody stalks die back and eventually die right off if cut or damaged. Injudicious pruning can also spoil the appearance of the whole plant which does not grow to replace any woody parts. The resulting holes spoil the line of the plant which is cushion-like in appearance.
Blooming Habits: flowers in mid spring or early summer. The Oxenbould Daisy bushes are covered with 1-1.5 inch (3-4 cm) brightly coloured flowers. Flowers are odourless, but some people can distinguish a very slight peppery smell. They are pollinated by bees and form seeds heads, but seeds rarely appear to germinate here in Criccieth. Mr. Oxenbould's Mesembryanthemum roseum bares no resemblance to Mesembryanthemums bought in seed packets beyond the similarity of the flowers.
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